Last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the comedian aired his yearly Halloween candy prank, showcasing a montage of parents who convinced their children that they had eaten all their Halloween treats. While many viewers find these clips hilarious, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness for those kids.
Honestly, it was tough for me to watch the video. I was so worked up that I felt like I was sitting on a cactus. After just a minute, I thought, “There are still four more minutes of this? Oh, for crying out loud! Someone get me a drink.” Unfortunately, my dog, Rufus, couldn’t fetch me anything since he’s a 14-pound Pekingese, but he certainly got my vibe.
With the lone exception of the little one in the dinosaur costume—because a) he looks unbothered and b) those outfits are always a riot—I felt a mix of sympathy and frustration for these kids. Pranks can be fun, but only when they don’t leave someone feeling scared or deeply hurt, and certainly not when the target is a toddler. Toddlers still believe in Santa and think Sesame Street is a real place. More importantly, they trust their parents implicitly.
Sure, we might not see the candy as a big deal (unless we’re talking about Kit Kats, which are sacred), but for these kids, it’s everything! Halloween is like a mini Christmas for them—one day a year where they can dress up and collect a treasure trove of sweets. Why would anyone want to spoil that?
Usually, I’m not one to get too serious about these things, but there’s something about these videos that really grinds my gears. These are kids, for heaven’s sake. They don’t deserve this kind of nonsense. When a parent tells their child they’ve gobbled up all the Halloween candy, they’re probably thinking, “Look at how furious and betrayed they’ll be—that’s hilarious!” But for the child, those emotions are as genuine as a heart attack. Do you really think these kids are going to chuckle and say, “Good one, Mom and Dad! Let’s laugh about this over some chicken nuggets”? No way! They might appreciate still having some candy, but they’ll be hurt that their parents thought it was funny to make them cry.
The one bright spot in these videos is those adorable kids who, despite the prank, barely blink and say, “That’s okay. I still love you.” Those moments break my heart—not just because they show such kindness, but because they display more compassion than they receive. I want to hug all of them—even the ones who might have given their parents a playful kick. I’d invite them over, shower them with candy, and maybe even throw in a puppy, then send them home sugar-high and giggling with a dog that has a penchant for chewing on car keys.
A hilarious prank, right?
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In summary, while Jimmy Kimmel’s Halloween candy prank videos may entertain some, they raise important questions about parenting and the impact of jokes on young, trusting children. Pranks that result in genuine distress can overshadow the laughter, reminding us to consider the feelings of the little ones involved.